Rally ECOSYSTEM
Two Rounds In
JP Van Der Meys, Cassidy Road, Paparoa
How good is it to be back for the 26′ series. Roll your cars out of the shed, onto the trailer and straight into the first series rounds for some fierce and friendly Rallysprint action.
A new stage to kick off the 26′ series, followed by familiar stages where social catchups ensue before helmets are strapped on and we switch immediately to race mode. We battle stages in elimination format, top 16, 8, 4 & 2, to the run-offs, so unless you’re out for a Sunday drive, you’ve got to bring your game to the table right out of the gate to keep the pace.
The calendar is panned out to stagger events, Clubs working hard to get dates added to the Motorsport calendar. There are variables that makes securing roads hard, ask any organizing group what the process is like to get a Club road ready for race day. We start the Series though with all guns blazing and key events ready to roll out.
Round 1, Cassidy Road, HCMC, 22 Feb
Steve Cox, Audi
Jack Hawkeswood, Toyota Yaris
Kingsley Jones, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3
New stage, new challenge. Hibiscus Coast Motorsport Club have attempted this road in the past, this time it was on and we were ready. Finger in the air, it felt good. Pits parking snaked right down the roadside until a top-notch farmer opened up a paddock closer to the end of the road to allow us our preferred cluster parking.
It’s always a hustle to get door banner stickers affixed as we arrive to the event, my chance to say g’day and get my morning steps in. Thanks to Tony Young, our on-site convenor, present and equipped with a printed/bound ruleset – impressed.
Did we all read the ‘new safety stage notes summary page’ before cracking into the reconnaissance run? Some co-drivers appeared slightly miffed with some of the terminologies. Welcomed series sponsor Rally Notes NZ offer additions to the notes with kinks, nars, extra corner-to-corner distances and other terminology inputs. We’re ever grateful for stage notes additions at our events, it’s such a pivotal tool provided at club level rallysprints to prep our teams, ready to tackle the next step up – rallies.
Brad Hill, BMW 343i
Ben Huband, Subaru Impreza
Tony Young, Series convenor
The primed and ready field kicked off into top 16 eliminations. Northlands Carl Adnitt straight into it breaking the 4min mark off the get go with Jack Hawkeswood closely behind, followed by Ben Huband and Kingsley Jones. It’s impressive seeing lower class competitors making top 16 in run 1, kudos to Ant Te Rito/class C, Kieran Cornelius/class C, Tony Young/class A and Bruce James/class C for their roadrunner approach right out of the gate. The field settled quickly to the pace, Carlin Leong/Bruce James finishing on a 5:28, Lee Stringer/Tony Young/Brad Hill on a 5:31, Steve Cox/Charlie Evans on a 5:33, and Jeff Torkington/Neil Campbell on a 5:35, needing 100ths of a second increments to differentiate positions. Codrivers Championship sponsor Chris Alexander was bedding in his Ford Cortina but faced some issues unfortunately putting him out for the remainder of the day. The stage notes describe the road as fast, twisty gravel with no time to relax and the 7km stage felt exactly that. It’s a newish road and we were getting acquainted with the flow, the characteristics. Like a good beer though, you have a taste and are left wanting more. Lower field numbers reduced ‘chat time’ in between runs, so literally a splash and dash then straight into run 2.
Jack Hawkeswood re-established the stage lead in this run and the class battle fires were stoked. Competitor times concertinaed into top 8 eliminations, a steady culling back of run time. The stage was surprisingly fast and twisty, those attentive in the reconnaissance run crafting notes to suit and able to confidently attack. The day was progressing well, a bit of dust hung in the road, but beggars can’t be choosers and driving to the conditions is way to tackle stages. We’re all on the same playing field, same issue for all.
Run 3 had all on the ball and getting into the groove. 6 pacesetters now in the under 4min mark, the competition searing in the afternoon sun. Post run, you return to pits fizzing thinking you’ve done a blinder, quickly deflated as the results show everyone’s biting at the heels. New strategic approach ‘drive it like you stole it’, common sense also kicks you in the rear, so you’ll drive with haste and caution. Dave Strong had a healthy lead in class D standings, Kingsley Jones was tracking well with the cat in bag over Lee Stringer in class G 4WD Historic, Craig Tickle had lost his class H competition so was able to comfortably progress. Class C was tightening, an impressive drive from Kieran Cornelius but Ant Te Rito is a fast man to catch in the class lead. Class A, Blair Richardson may need to fit NOS to keep up with Tony who never seems to slow down pacing in front, consistency though is key and so is getting to the finish line. Class E remained in the same top 3, Jack Hawkeswood stretching the legs of the Toyota Yarris. Ben Huband caught Carl Adnitt by 2 seconds, to pass into 2nd in class position.
Run 4, top 2. The conditions were mint and the rounds flowed well. Quick turnarounds pushed people out fast, unfortunately this round had Steve Cox out in his Audi Quattro, Neil Campbell out in his H6 Subaru, JP Van Der Meys out in his Ford Fiesta and Karn Woodcock out in his Subaru Impreza, so the field started thinning. Sitting on the hill just before the start line offered an awesome vantage point watching racers enter the run. A bit of analysis on how flat to take the first set of corners, clearly no braking required, just not needed. So, see how the others are doing it, pin it, don’t bin it, brave it, shave it and try not to overcook the chicken to deliver a good final run time. All did exactly that, confidently smashing it. Do you recap at this point though and think ‘why can’t I drive like that on the first run’?
Final run 5 for top overalls and top in class. Not all pairings battled it out, most did though for a final hurrah. It’s a good bang for buck getting 4 runs but getting 5 runs is a great bang for buck out of a Rallysprint day.
Final event standings
Overall; Jack Hawkeswood, Carl Adnitt, Ben Huband
Class A: Tony Young, Blair Richardson
Class C: Ant Te Rito, Kieran Cornelius, Bruce James
Class D: Dave Strong, McCrae Sloper, Charlie Evans
Class E: Jacks Hawkeswood, Carl Adnitt, Ben Huband
Class G: Kingsley Jones, Lee Stringer, Chris Burke
Class H: Craig Tickle
Round 2, Bothwell Loop, PCC, 7 Mar
Hello beautiful countryside. The Waikaretu Valley backdrop sets the scene to enjoy the last of summer weather rallysprinting. PCC had use of the local hall and paddock surrounds for this round, a slight change to previous years set up. The hall worked well, providing relatively low touring to stage and a good base, there’s always one or two things that present on race day though adding ‘challenge’.
Reconnaissance uncovered recent layers of new gravel to the road. It was a bit meh – ok, drive to the conditions and if they give you challenge, you’ve gotta face the beast and tackle the obstacle. She was definitely a bit skittery underfoot, but we were keen to get into it.
Carl Adnitt, RX8, Bothwell Loop
Andrew Keighley, Ford Escort Mk 2, Bothwell Loop
All class numbers were healthy for a change with only class B lacking a little. Class E roared into life with 9 starters, Mike Torr having troubles in the Subaru Impreza leaving him having to retire far too early in the day. The top 3 battles were Jack Hawkeswood, Carl Adnitt and Ben Huband – a similar snapshot to round 1 at Cassidy Rd.
Class G had 3 running so all just needed to burn through the day unscathed, Kingsley Jones leading the pack, Lee Stringer and Chris Burke following. Class H had 5 starters, a really great field although Glen Cameron had mechanical issues with the RX7 in stage, leaving him stranded in a fairly precarious spot. Class D had Dave Strong, Brad Hill and Mike Wheatley, the vibrant colours of Brad and Mike clear for all to see as they progressed through stage, Dave Strong positioning himself comfortably in the class lead.
Class C was plentiful, young Khalid Mason had travelled some distance to compete in this event but had issues leading up to the start line, Richard Mason under bonnet assessing what needed to be done to get Khalid going. Ant Te Rito, took charge of the pack with Kieran Cornelius and Stumpy Holmes chasing.
Class B had Cam McKay and Bruce Airey chasing for cat and mouse, Cam taking out the lead, a healthy class A saw peddlers Tony Young and Mark Bradley go head-to-head, Tony just inching forward for first in the class, Blair Ricardson back a bit in 3rd place.
The NRSS series organizer had no time to faff about, dual co-driving, in one car then out and into the next, also very happy the anti-nausea pills worked at peak that day. Co-driving is a test of one’s ability to not let the rollercoaster feeling and heat petrol dust smell affect the ability to read a number short story to your mate at pace.
Actually, even a slight kiss on a bank in stage where the notes went flying had me practicing contortionism to get notes back in hand then referencing very quicky to answer the drivers ‘what’s next corner’ question.
Khalid Mason, Ford Fiesta, Bothwell Loop
Run 2 presented challenge number 2, geographical communication issues. It’s super frustrating having to halt stage for comms issues but event communications are absolutely critical for event safety, so when these flail for whatever reason, we’ve got to suck it up, support the organizers/ volunteers until they get it sorted. Hills people, there are lots of hills in this setting. You’d be lucky you got going at all if I was on the radio comms team, I am very non-technical with radios and wires, so they tag me out and find better people for the job. Radio communications don’t always go to plan – fact.
Run 2 got off to a hiss and roar after some time. The slippy was still there, dust presented but hilltop breathes of wind helped push it away. This stage was described as narrow, very twisty gravel road, with loads of work for both driver and co-driver. Yes, and yes, the loose gravel just adding that extra layer to the stage keeping everyone in check, just stay in the tracks!! Jack Hawkeswood was pulling ahead in the lead, Ant Te Rito clearly wanting a tussle with the front runners, 4th overall and within the top 8 eliminations. Mark Bradley wasn’t waiting for anyone in the Datsun 1200 and was dialed in, just notching ahead of Steve Cox in the Audi to make the top 8 cut-off. The rest of the field are in it for the class battles, healthy and strong. We’re happy with a little friendly banter then after talking the talk, we have to walk the walk. Tony Young started getting a braking issue into this run, brakes are kind of important in race mode, though he pushed through, Marcus Lowry keeping attentive in the co-driver’s seat. Some weren’t able to make run 2, Bruce Airey out in his Toyota Corolla and Clinton Davies stopped in stage in his Evo 6 with electrical issues, pulling off to a safe stopping point. Chris Alexander also having more issues in the Ford Cortina. On a bright note, Khalid did the opposite and stemmed his run 1 issues to rejoin the field into run 2, great work! The 1 second class battles went to Stumpy Holmes and Brendan Andrews in Class C and Andrew Keighley and Al Greer in class H, a cat’s whisker close proximity. Challenge 2 came back again, comms issues, arrghhhh. A few down at the finish line vacated cars for the tree lines, she was fair roasting. Spare a thought for our awesome volunteers who sit in these temperatures, get sprayed with dust, and combat comms issues, while we race and experience the highs the event has to offer, hats off teams, hats off!!
Jack Hawkeswood
There was talk at the pits of road condition deterioration and a shortening of the days runs, unfortunately road condition is as imperative as event communications. Event organizers exert due diligence as the event progresses and closely watch road conditions. Clay is not good, clay is bad. We stayed getting patches through where loose gravel was and as much as it pains us, PCC had to make a call and cut the event short, so run 3 was the money run.
Again, it’s frustrating as you’ve just got a good handle on the road conditions and are hitting the right notes to get the best run times, then we’re robbed of runs. So, how was it looking into run 3, the leaders remained seemingly unchanged in positions, tracking from start to end of day racing in same positions.
The rugby ball sized rocks that were hiding around a 3L corner may not have been an issue to those who can drive over them, but do we drive over them, eesch, them some pretty big rocks. PCC may look to introduce ‘anti-cuts’ in stages in future as we sign up to race not build roads at the end of the day. All gave it their best shunt into this final run though, most gave up about the dust issues and just went with it, the higher power decided if it gives you wind to clear the track in between runs, just tighten the clench on the steering wheel and believe.
For disclosure reasons, I’m happy to confirm that loose rocks and the general road was tidied up by a team of people with a make right attitude lead by Kingsley Jones, it’s awesome having people joining forces to fix a problem and make it right. Thank you all for doing this!
Prizegiving with the gorgeous rolling hill backdrops and our wonderful Fiona Gower encouraging big end of day smiles. Thank you all for coming to make an awesome action packed round 2!
Final event standings
Overall; Jack Hawkeswood, Carl Adnitt, Ben Huband
Class A: Mark Bradley, Blair Richardson, Donald Welsh
Class B: cam Mckay
Class C: Ant Te Rito, Kieran Cornelius, Stumpy Homles
Class D: Dave Strong, Brad Hill, Mike Wheatley
Class E: Jacks Hawkeswood, Carl Adnitt, Ben Huband
Class G: Kingsley Jones, Lee Stringer, Chris Burke
Class H: Craig Tickle, Andrew Keighly, Al Greer
Craig Tickle & Fiona Gower
Special thank you to series photographer Geoff Rider for following us round-to-round to gather our favourite action pics.
Round 3, Piakonui Rd, TVCC, 26 Apr
Organizers worked tirelessly to get this round race ready, some variables making it incredibly difficult to the secure the road in time for the event. A shame as it would have been a beauty event on the still autumn Sunday we’ve just had, in between the squally weather that seems to keep rolling in. We’ll work with the Club to try and get this event back on the board miss ford. Apologies folks for not being able to get this one ready for shake and bake.
Round 3 now skips straight to Northland Car Clubs Ruarangi Road, Sunday 7th June. It’s a road of ups and downs, a rollercoaster of fun and tricks.
The organizers will launch the event soon on the MSNZ calendar and will advise which exhilarating direction it’ll be run in.
Keep tuned for entries open ..
Ruarangi Rd
End, Nikki Sim